Medicare Basics

Introductory “Medicare Basics” workshops are offered four times a year at the County Office Building, 9 S. First Ave., Mount Vernon. Typically, they are held once a month between September and December.

The sessions are presented by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS), and will take place from 10 a.m. to noon in the eighth-floor conference room.

The 2019 session schedule will be posted in the fall.

All workshops are free, but early registration is suggested, because the classes fill up quickly. To sign up, call DSPS’ year-round Medicare Information Line at (914) 813-6100.

Case workers will provide information about Medicare parts A, B, C and D and how to use Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) for even greater savings. EPIC is a New York State-sponsored plan that helps eligible seniors pay prescription drug costs. They will also discuss Medigap insurance, cost-sharing and preventive benefits.

More information about Medicare plan choices and application for extra help with the prescription drug costs are available at the federal government’s official Medicare site or call the Medicare helpline (800) 633-4227.